Filmmaking (or, in an academic context, film production) is the process of making a film, generally in the sense of films intended for extensive theatrical exhibition. Filmmaking involves a number of complex and discrete stages including an initial story, idea, or commission, through screenwriting, casting, shooting, sound recording and pre-production, editing, and screening the finished product before an audience that may result in a film release and an exhibition. Filmmaking takes place in many places around the world in a range of economic, social, and political contexts, and using a variety of technologies and cinematic techniques.
First Assistant Director: How to Become a 1st AD (The Real Story) I’ll never forget my first day as a production assistant on “Blood Buddies.” We were three hours behind schedule. The lead actor’s wig wasn’t ready. Rain was forecast for noon, and we had two critical exterior scenes left. Everyone was losing their minds. … Read more
The Hook: My First Day as a “Director” Was a Disaster I showed up to the set of “Blood Buddies” thinking I knew everything. I’d watched every Nolan film twice, read Hitchcock interviews, and built shot lists in my head for weeks. Then my lead actor asked me a simple question: “What’s my motivation in … Read more
The Hook I was twenty-three, working a night shift at a video rental place in Vancouver, when a customer asked me to recommend “something that doesn’t play by the rules.” I handed him Pulp Fiction. He came back two days later. “That watch scene,” he said. “I had to rewind three times to figure out … Read more
The Beach Laptop Lie I’m in a Bangkok hotel room at 2 AM, uploading 47GB of footage through an ethernet cable I bought at 7-Eleven because the WiFi died. Again. My Instagram story from six hours ago? Me editing poolside with a coconut. Both things happened. But only one tells the truth. Three years ago, … Read more
Overview: TL;DR Being a PA is the best (and hardest) way to break into film. You’ll fetch coffee, wrangle extras, and learn more than film school could ever teach you. Expect 12-16 hour days, physically demanding work, and being treated as invisible—but also getting paid to watch pros work. Essential gear: comfortable shoes (seriously), a … Read more
The Garden Hose Rain Scene Disaster Picture this: me, standing in my backyard at 11 PM, aiming a garden hose at my lead actress while my neighbor peeks through the fence looking genuinely concerned for my sanity. The vision? A dramatic rain scene that would make viewers weep. The reality? My actress shivering like a … Read more
Quick note: Some links in this article are affiliate links. If you buy something through them, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I actually use. If something’s garbage, I’ll tell you—commission or not. The $3,000 Lens I Never Used Last year, I did something stupid. I … Read more
Filmmaker Vlogging: The Career Move That Works While You Sleep Quick note: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend gear I actually use or have tested. If something has a real drawback, I’ll say so … Read more
The $5,000 Portfolio Mistake Last year, I sat next to a production company creative director as they scrolled through my Vimeo page. They were hiring for a commercial shoot. Five thousand dollars for three days of work. My friend had recommended me specifically. I was the perfect fit—or so I thought. I watched their cursor … Read more
Quick note: Some links in this article are affiliate links. If you buy something through them, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I actually use. If something’s garbage, I’ll tell you—commission or not. The Puddle That Changed Everything Three years ago, I was shooting B-roll for … Read more